Watch Fool for Love

Fool for Love is a 1985 American drama film directed by Robert Altman and adapted by Sam Shepard from his own stage play of the same name. The film stars Sam Shepard, who reprises his role as Eddie, Kim Basinger, who plays May, and Harry Dean Stanton, who portrays the Old Man. The movie is a classic example of Shepard's unique brand of absurdism, and it explores themes such as love, jealousy, and family dysfunction.

The plot of Fool for Love follows Eddie and May, two lovers who reunite after a long period of estrangement. They are holed up in a motel room in the Mojave Desert, and their passionate affair is fraught with tension and secrecy. Both Eddie and May are haunted by their past, and their relationship is complicated by the fact that they are half-siblings. The film unfolds over the course of a single day, as Eddie and May confront the secrets that have kept them apart for so long.

The film begins with a close-up of a coyote howling in the desert, which sets the tone for the primal and raw emotions that the movie will explore. We are then introduced to Eddie, a sullen and brooding cowboy who works as a stunt performer in Hollywood. He drives to the motel where May is waiting for him, and the two launch into a heated argument that is peppered with sexual innuendo and cryptic references to their shared past. The dialogue between the two characters is dense and poetic, and it reveals the depth of their emotional turmoil.

As the film progresses, we learn more about Eddie and May's relationship, including the fact that they share the same father. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to their already torrid affair, and it raises questions about the nature of love and attraction. The film also introduces the character of the Old Man, a spectral figure who seems to embody Eddie and May's shared history. He is a witness to their tumultuous past, and his presence adds a supernatural element to the movie.

One of the standout performances in Fool for Love is delivered by Kim Basinger, who portrays May with a delicate balancing act of fragility and strength. She is both vulnerable and resilient, and her character's tragic past is palpable in every scene. Sam Shepard also delivers a powerful performance as Eddie, imbuing his character with a sense of wounded masculinity that is both unsettling and compelling. Harry Dean Stanton is his usual charismatic self as the Old Man, a role that allows him to showcase his unique blend of humor and pathos.

Robert Altman's direction adds a layer of artistry to the film that elevates it above the level of a mere stage adaptation. He uses the widescreen format to full effect, capturing the vast expanse of the desert landscape and framing the characters in moments of isolation and intimacy. He also employs a dreamlike visual style that emphasizes the surreal quality of the story, and he uses music to underscore the emotional impact of certain scenes.

Fool for Love is a film that will appeal to fans of Sam Shepard's writing and to those who appreciate unconventional storytelling. It is a movie that explores the darker aspects of love and relationships, and it does so with a poetic and enigmatic style. The film might not be for everyone, but for those who are willing to engage with its themes and characters, it offers a powerful and affecting viewing experience.

Fool for Love is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 64.